Fire service urging people not to burn rubbish amidst Birmingham bin strikes

West Midlands Fire Service have been called to people burning their rubbish at home

Author: Amelia SalmonsPublished 25th Apr 2025

West Midlands Fire Service are urging people in Birmingham not to burn their household waste as bin strikes in the city are set to enter their eighth week.

Fire crews were called to a Birmingham home where someone had tried to burn their recycling waste indoors.

They were not injured but had to be given oxygen and on-scene care by paramedics.

Luckily, the fire was contained to one room.

Routine collection of household recycling in Birmingham is currently suspended, during ongoing industrial action by refuse workers.

Those that are able, can take your recycling or waste to their local household recycling centre.

Emily Fernandez, Head of Prevention at WMFS, said: “Burning household recycling like cardboard, paper or plastics can be very dangerous, especially indoors.

“Please don’t burn your household waste or recycling. You could quickly be overcome by the smoke, or burned. Such fires can quickly get out of control and spread.

“If your recycling hasn’t been collected, we urge you to store it safely until your next collection or, if you can, take it to a household recycling centre. Never try to burn it – you’re risking lives and property.”

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